Tape applicator



Dem 1963 w. D. LATHROP ETAL 3,116,195

TAPE APPLICATOR Filed April 27; 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wesley D. Lafhrop Alfred L. Cast/e INVENTORS Y nan Wow; 3%

Dec. 31, 1963 w. D. LATHROP ETAL TAPE APPLICATOR Filed April 27. 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Wesley D. Lafhrop Alfred L Casi/e INVENTORS 31, 1963 w. D. LATHROP ETAL 3,116,195

TAPE APPLICATOR Filed April 27, 1960 :5 sh t -sh 3 Fig. /0

T Fig. 8 1

I02 v k Fig. /2

Wesley Lam/0p Alfred L. Cast/e INVENTORS :1 Fig. /3

zmwii'n United States Patent Ofilice 3,,lli5,l5 Patented Dec. 31, 1963 3,116,195 'IAFE APPLIEATGR Wesley D. Lathrop and Alfred E. Castle, Goleta, Calif, assignors to Lat rop-Castle Enterprises, Inc., Goieta, Caiih, a corporntien of California Filed Apr. 27, I969, Ser. No. 2d,%7 l- Clairns. (El. 155-575) This invention relates generally to equipment used in conjunction with wallboards, and more particularly to a device for facilitating the application of tape to the junction of adjacent wallboards.

In recent years, the utilization of wallboards in the construction of walls has become more prevalent. Generally, the portions of the wallboard adjacent to the edge are provided with shallow recesses on their inner surfaces for receiving a mastic, adhesive plastic, or mud. The shallow recesses on adjacent wallboards form a trough or groove in which a layer of mud is generally applied. The first layer of mud usually does not completely fill the groove, and accordingly a tape is applied over the first mud layer. A second layer of mud is then often applied over the tape. The edges of the second mud layer extend beyond the sides of the groove and are generally feathered so as to gradually merge into the exterior surface of the wallboard. It is a time-consuming procedure to apply the first layer of mud and the tape separately. Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide a device for simultaneously applying both mud and tape to adjacent wallboards at the junction thereof.

Moreover, it is an object of this invention to provide a device for simultaneously applying mud and tape to the junction of adjacent wallboards which may be easily carried and operated by a single worker. The device includes a frame which has means for rotatably mounting a tape supply roll thereon. Tape from the supply roll extends through tape guides on the frame and engages wall roller means. Mud dispensing means are carried on the frame between the tape supply roll and the roller means and dispense mud on a first face of the tape. The roller means are engaged with a second face of the tape, enabling the roller means to press the mud carrying face against the junction of the wallboards in the shallow recesses formed adjacent the wallboard edges.

It is a still more particular object of this invention to provide a novel device for simultaneously applying mud and tape to adjacent wallboards including tape cutting means actuatable by the operator of the device for severing a portion of the tape from the supply roll. Accordin ly, the operator may run the device along a wallboard junction with the roller means engaged with the tape and pressing the tape to the junction. When reaching the end of the wallboards, he may actuate the cutting means for severing the applied tape from the supply roll.

It is a still more particular object of the invention to provide a device for simultaneously applying mud and tape to adjacent wallboards including ejection means for enabling the operator of the device to automatically eject tape from the supply roll into engagement with the roller means subsequent to the severing of the applied tape from the supply roll. By so doing, the operator may immediately pass from junction to junction of the various adjacent Wallboards without requiring the waste of time to rethread the supply roll tape into proper position.

It is a still more particular object of this invention to provide a device for simultaneously applying mud and tape to adjacent wallboards at the junction thereof including means which adapt the device for applying the tape to corner joints. For this purpose, a corner folder is carried by the frame and actuatable by the operator for folding the tape along its center line after it moves from the roller means. The folded tape thereby presents two fiaps which are applied in overlying relationship to the corner junction of the meeting wallboards.

It is a still more particular object of this invention to provide a novel device for simultaneously applying mud and tape to adjacent wallboards at the junction thereof including mud supply means connected to mud dispensing means carried by the device frame. Two embodiments are disclosed therein. The first of the embodiments makes use of a mud hopper in the supply means which is located remote from the frame and hose connections connect the supply means to the dispensing means. A mud control valve on the frame, convenient to the operator, is operatively interposed between the hopper and the dispensing means for enabling the operator to control the mud flow. In a second embodiment of the invention, a mud hopper is carried on the frame. In order to enable the device to apply tape along both horizontal and vertical wailboard joints, means are provided for allowing the rotation of the rotatable axis of the wall roller means for enabling the tape to be applied both horizontally and vertically without necessitating the inversion of the mud hopper.

These, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention illustrating how a single operator utilizes the device to apply mud and tape simultaneously to the wallboard junction;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view partially broken away illustrating the mud supply means adapted to be connected to the device of FIGURE 1 for feeding mud to the mud dispensing means;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the applicator;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the plane 66 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating how the corner folder means may be actuated for folding the tape into a wallboard corner joint;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the plane S8 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention wherein it is shown that the mud supply hopper is carried by the device frame;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the plane lit-1d of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the plane l1l1 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged elevational view partially broken away illustrating the mud supply hopper mounted on the frame and showing how the mud is dispensed onto the tape; and

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of a portion of the device showing particularly the rotatably and terminally mounted wall roller means and illustrating how the corner folder may be actuated to fold the tape along the center line thereof.

With continuing reference to the drawings, attention is initially called to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 8. FIGURE 1 illustrates how the applicator 1d may be utilized by an operator 12 for applying tape and mud simultaneously to a wallboard joint vI l. The applicator 16 includes a tube frame 16 defining an offset portion 18 therein. A tape supply roll 241 is rotatably supported on a spindle 22 on the offset portion 18. Terminally secured to the tube frame 16 and forming part of the applicator frame is a head 24.

Tape 21 extends from the supply roll 20 through a tape guide 26- defining an eye 28. The guide 26 is secured to the tube frame 16, as is particularly illustrated in FIGURE 4. A tape chute comprising a pair of spaced parallel plates 36 and 32 forms a portion of the head 34. The tape 21 is adapted to extend from the guide 26 through the plates 30 and 32. Terminally supported on the head 24 are spaced brackets 34 and 36 which rotatably carry therebetween on shaft rolling means which may be in the form of a sponge roller an as illustrated in the initial embodiment of the invention. The sponge roller 4411s rotatable on shaft 38 and engages a first face 42 of tape 21.

The tube frame 16 is hollow and is connected by a hose '44 to a supply hopper 4 6 containing mud 43 therein. The size hopper utilized may, of course, be of any desired size, but it is mentioned that ill-gallon hoppers have proven to be convenient and useful. A gasoline engine Sil is operatively connected to pump 52 through drive means 54. A relief valve 56 may be provided as is particularly indicated in FIGURE 2. The pump 52 draws mud from the hopper 16 and pumps the mud through the hose 44 connected to one end of the tube frame 16 by hose connector 58. A metering valve 61) is supported on the tube frame 16 and is operatively interposed between the hose 44 and mud dispensing means 62 mounted toward the front of the applicator 112. The valve 68 is provided with a control handle 6 and a screw adjustment 66 for facilitating the manual control of the mud flow from the mud supply hopper 46 to the mud dispensing means 62.

Mud tubes 63 and 70 form a portion of the mud dispensing means 62 and communicate the inner mud carrying hollow of the tube frame v16 with a mud dispensing chamber 7 2 formed between the tape chute defined by the bridge 31? and 32 and the roller ii Mud is carried from the mud supply hopper through the tube frame 16 and then through the mud tubes 63 and 7t} and dispensed upon a second face 43 of the tape 21 in the mud chamber 72. As appreciated, the control of mud flow into the chamber 72 may be controlled by proper utilization of the control handle 64 and adjustment screw 66. The tape 21 emerges from the chamber 72 between relatively closely spaced members '74 and 76. The member 74' defines somewhat of a scraping or smoothing edge Which assures the proper distribution of the dispensed mud on the second face 43 of the tape 21.

A ireciprocably movable blade 78 is mounted in the head 24. A pair of rods 80 and 82 extend vertically on either side of the blade 78 and are anchored in blocks 84 and 86. Springs 138 and E i) are received on the rods 80* and 82. Collars 92 and 94 are secured to the blade 78 and receive the rods 31? and 82 therethrough. A pulley 96 is rotatably mounted on spindle 98 adjacent to the blade 78. Cable 1% extends about the pulley 96 and is terminally secured to the blade 78 as by passing through aperture 162 defined in the blade and being spliced upon itself as at 194. The cable 1% extends through and terminates in rod 106 which is terminally threaded at 1133 and adjustably carries nuts 1 11i thereon. A sleeve 11 is slidably supported on tube frame 16 and has a handle 114 formed integral therewith. Apertured projections 116 and 118 are formed on either end of the sleeve 112 as is especially illustrated in FIGURE 4. Rod 1116 extends through the aperture defined by projection 11 8. Use may be made by the operator 12 to slide the sleeve 11 2 on the tube frame 16. By grasping the handle 114, the sleeve 1 12 may be moved rearwardly so as to engage projection 118 with nut 110. By so doing, the rod 1116 and cable d are drawn rearwardly. The cable 1% moves about pulley 96 and urges blade 78 toward the tape 21. Opening 12% is defined in the plates 31) and 32 forming the tape chute for permitting the blade 78 to pass therethrough. It will be appreciated, therefore, that when the operator 12 draws the handle 114 rearwardly, the blade 78 is projected through the opening 124 so as to sever the tape 21 forward of the blade 78 from the tape supply roll 20.

A narrow slot 122 is Edefined in the lower plate 32 of the plates defining the tape chute. A rod 124 extends through eye 126' mounted on the tube frame 16. The rod 124 is terminally threaded as at 123 and adjustably receives nut 131D thereon. Spring 132 is mounted on the rod 124 between the eye 126 and nut 1311. Similarly carried by the rod \124 is a tape ejector spring 136 Which defines a forward end 138 projecting into the slot 122 and having an edge engaged with the face 42 of the tape 21. The rear portion 1141 of the spring 136 bears against the rod 124 so as to assure the constant urging. of the spring 136 around pin 14-2 for engaging the portion 138 of the spring 136 with the tape 21. The projection 116 of sleeve 112 is apertured and the rod 124 projects therethrough. The projection 116 is in alignment with the nut 13%. Upon forward movement of the handle 114, the sleeve 112 is moved forwardly so as to engage projection 116 with nut 1312* and accordingly move rod 124 forwardly against the urging of spring 1132. By so doing, the tape ejector spring 1'36 is moved forwardly and the forward edge portion thereof which is in engagement with the tape 21, pressing the tape 21 against the bottom side of the plate 30, ejects the tape 21 past the blade 78 in engagement with the roller t). Therefore, it will be appreciated that after the operator 12 has drawn the sleeve 112 rearwardly so as to actuate the blade 78 to sever the portion of the tape forward of the blade 78 from the supply roll .21), the sleeve 112 may be carried forward so as to allow the spring portion 138 to eject the tape 21 which is still integral with the supply roll 29 through the chute defined by the plates 39 and 32 into engagement with the roller 40 past the mud dispensing means 62. When spring 136 is moved rearwardly by spring 132, it will not move the tape 21 due to the angle between the tape and engaging portion 138.

In normally applying the tape 21 to the joint 14 of adjacent wallboards, the tape and mud are applied simultaneously as indicated in FIGURE 1. The applicator It) may be drawn vertically upward or downward or horizontally to the left or to the ri ht, depending upon the desires of the operator 12. In FIGURE 1, the opera tor 12 is utilizing the applicator 11) so as to seal a vertical joint between adjacent Wallboards. The applicator 10 is being moved vertically downwardly with the roller 40 engaged with the face 42 of tape 21, pressing the face having the mud thereon against the wallboard joint. As previously noted, shallow recesses are generally formed adjacent the wallboard edges for receiving the mud and tape. When the operator 12 has reached the end of a particular joint, the applied portion of the tape may be severed from the supply roll in the manner indicated by actuating the blade 7 3. In order to initiate a further application of the tape 21 on another joint, the operator may cause the tape 21 to be ejected from the supply roll 21? into engagement with the roller 40 by use of the spring 136.

In order to apply the tape 21 to a corner wallboard joint, corner folding means 1% are provided for folding the tape 21 along a center line thereof as is particularly indicated in FIGURE 7. Yoke 152 is pivoted on the shaft 38 comprising the rotational axis of the roller 40. The yoke 152 defines an extension 154 which extends beyond the shaft 38. A flexible rod 156 is secured to the extension 154 and extends through guide means 158 and 169. The flexible rod 156 has a handle 162 terminally formed thereon. The handle 162 bears against the guide 1611 as shown in FEGURES 1 and 4. le yoke 152 terminally rotatably supports between a bifurcated portion 1nd thereof a narrow roller 166. It will be noted that by drawing rearwardly on the handle 162, the flexible rod 156 causes the extension 154 to pivot the yoke 152 about shaft 38 so as to carry the corner roller 166 into engagement with the tape 21.

Attention is called to FIGURE 7 wherein the corner roller 166 is illustrated as engaged with the tape 21 along the center line thereof. The corner roller rat is narrow and extends into a corner joint defined by adjacent corner wallboards 179 and 172. It should be appreciated that the corner joint so formed may be vertical as would be the case with adjacent walls or horizontal as would be the case with a ceiling end wall joint. A small spring 174 may be secured between the yoke 152 and a bracket 176 secured to the head 24. The spring 174, of course, carries the corner folding means 15%) back to the position shown in FIGURE 4 after the handle 162 of the rod 156 is released.

Attention is now called to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 9 through 13. The second embodiment of the invention is identical to the first embodiment in most respects. However, one significant distinction is to be noted. Mounted on the tube frame 2% is a small hopper 2&2 which carries a supply of mud 21% therein. The hopper 262 is provided with a removable closure plate 236. The hopper 2492 is supported on the frame 2% and is open at the bottom portion thereof, as at 2th"). Spaced plates 210 and 212 have flared ends 214- and 216 through which the tape 21 extends from the supply roll 2%. The tape 21 extends between the plates 219 and 212 and mud is dispensed on the face 43 thereof as it passes through the open hopper bottom 2%. A knob 218 is rotatable and controls semi-cylindrical element 22b mounted at the forward end of the hopper immediately above the face 43 of the tape 21. By adjusting the position of the element 228 through the knob 218, the desired amount of mud 2% is deposited on the face 43 of the tape 21.

As noted previously in conjunction with the initial embodiment, the tape 21 then extends forwardly of the applicator passing through the tape chute 222. A blade 224 is again reciprocably mounted adjacent the chute 222 and connected to springs 225. The cable 228 is secured to the blade 22d and the actuating handle 230 for causing the blade 224 to pass through the opening 232 defined in the chute chute 222 to sever the tape portion forward of the blade 224 from the supply roll Zil. Moreover, the handle 23b is connected through rod 234 to tape ejection apparatus similar to that of FIGURE 4. Moreover, a cable 244 is connected to the extension tube 24-1 of yoke 242 pivotable about shaft 244 for actuating the corner roller 245. It will be appreciated that the structural details of the second embodiment are somewhat distinguishable from the first details of the first embodiment. However, it should be appreciated that the parts of the first and second embodiments may be interchanged from a patentable standpoint. The only and significant differences between the embodiments is the utilization of the hopper 202 mounted on the frame in the second embodiment which allows for the mud 264 to be gravity fed onto the tape 21 instead of being pumped thereto as in the initial embodiment. Also, the other necessary and distinguishing feature of the second embodiment is the means for rotating the head tube 245 with respect to the tube frame 2% so as to allow the utilization of the applicator along either a vertical or horizontal joint without necessitating the inversion of the hopper 202. For this purpose, a collar 250 is secured to the frame of the head tube 246 and rotatable on the tube frame 2% carrying the hopper 2&2. Three circumferentially spaced holes 252, 254 and 256 are defined in the collar 254) and alignable with a spring urged ball detent 25? carried by the tube frame 20%). A slot 2% is defined in the collar 25%) and a screw 262 in the tube frame 2% extends therethrough for aligning purposes. In use of the embodiment of FIGURES through 13, it

6 of course is desirable to retain the hopper 202 in an upright position. To enable the head tube 246 to be turned so as to apply tape to both vertical and horizontal joints, the collar 250 and entire head may be rotated to the positions corresponding to the engagement of the detent 253 with any of the holes 252, 254, or 256.

in order to smooth and properly distribute the dispensed mud on the face 43 of the tape 21, a comb 263 may be mounted in the chute 222. Of course, proper tape, rod, and cable guide means as 279 may be employed where desired and necessary. A further feature to be noted which may be utilized in conjunction with either of the embodiments is the rolling means shown in FIG- URE 13. In lieu of the sponge roller 40 illustrated in conjunction with the initial embodiment, spaced rollers 272 and 274 may be provided. The rollers 272 and 274 have teeth '73 along the circumference thereof for bearing against the face 42 of the tape 21 for pressing the tape against a Wallboard joint. As noted, the cable 240 may be utilized to pivot the extension 241 and corner roller 245 against the center line of the tape 21 for urging the tape into a corner joint defined by the wallboards.

Gf course, as previously noted, it will thus be appreciated that aside from the gravity feed hopper on the tube frame in the second embodiment of the invention and the means for adjusting the relationship of the head with respect thereto, the other features of the invention may be used in either the first or second embodiment, depending upon the particular manufacturing desires.

The materials utilized in the invention are not of a critical nature, but care should be taken to use non-corrosive light weight endurable metals Where possible. It will further be appreciated, of course, that the device may be constructed in such a manner that it may be easily disassembled so as to allow for proper cleaning and the prevention of drying and clogging.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use with wallboard, a device for simultaneously applying mud and tape to adjacent wallboards at the junction thereof comprising an elongated tubular frame, means rotatably mounting a tape supply roll on said frame, wall roller means rotatably and terminally mounted on said frame, tape extending from said supply roll, a first face of said :tape engaged with said roller means, mud dispensing means carried by said frame between said roller means and said supply roll immediately adjacent a second face of said tape whereby mud is dispensed on said second face of said tape enalbling said roller means to press said mud carrying second face against said wallboards, and a narrow corner roller mounted on said frame proximate said roller means in alignment with the center line of said tape, and means for engaging said corner roller with said tape, a reciprocably mounted cutting blade on said frame, said blade extending and movable in a direction perpendicular to said first face of said tape, and means for engaging said blade with said tape, a tape ejector spring having an edge engaged with said tape movable along said elon gated frame to carry said tape toward said roller means, said spring being flat in transvense cross section and forming an acute angle with said first face whereby said spring will slip on said tape when moved away from said wall roller means.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 including mud supply means connected to said mud dispensing means, said mud supply means including a mud hopper remote from said frame, a hose connecting said hopper to said dispensing means, and a mud control valve on said frame operatively interposed between said hopper and said dispensing means' 3. For use with wall'bloard, a device for simultaneously applying mud and tape to adjacent wallboarrds at the junction thereof comprising an elongated tubular frame, means rotatably mounting a tape supply roll on said frame, Wall roller means rotatably and tenminally mounted on said frame, tape extending from said supply roll, a first face of said tape engaged With said (roller means, mud dispensing means carried by said frame between said roller means and said supply roll immediately adjacent a second face of said tape whereby mud is dispensed on said second face of said tape enabling said roller means to press said mud carrying second face against said wallboards, and mud supply means connected to said mud dispens ng means, said mud supply means including a mud hopper fixedly carried by said frame, said roller means defining a rotational axis extending'perpendicular to said frame, and adjusting means for rotating said axis and roller means about the longitudinal axis of said frame and relative to said hopper, said tubular frame being composed of two coaxial sections, said adjusting means comprising a sleeve telescopically receiving adjacent ends of said sections and secured to one of said ends, the other end being rotatable in said sleeve, detent means fio-r securing said other end to said sleeve in a plurality of different angular positions, said roller means mounted on one of said sectionsand said mud supply means mounted on the other of said sections.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 including a single operator movably mounted on said flame, means connecting said single operator to said blade and said tape ejector spring whereby movement of said operator will first move said blade to sever said tape and then operate said ejector spring to advance the cut end of the tape ccnnceted to said supply roll towards said wall roller means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,323,963 A mes July 13, 1943 2,405,742 Fulfer Aug. 13, 1946 2,502,499 Ames Apr. 4, 1950 2,511,857 Fritzinger June 20, 1950 

1. FOR USE WITH WALLBOARD, A DEVICE FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY APPLYING MUD AND TAPE TO ADJACENT WALLBOARDS AT THE JUNCTION THEREOF COMPRISING AN ELONGATED BUTULAR FRAME, MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTING A TAPE SUPPLY ROLL ON SAID FRAME, WALL ROLLER MEANS ROTATBLY AND TERMINALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, TAPE EXTENDING FROM SAID SUPPLY ROLL, A FIRST FACE OF SAID TAPE ENGAGED WITH SAID ROLLER MEANS, MUD DISPENSING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID FRAME BETWEEN SAID ROLLER MEANS AND SAID SUPPLY ROLL IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT A SECOND FACE OF SAID TAPE ENABLING SAID ROLLER MEANS TO PRESS SAID MUD CARRYING SECOND FACE AGAINST SAID WALLBOARDS, AND A NARROW CORNER ROLLER MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME PROXIMATE SAID ROLLER MEANS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CENTER LINE OF SAID TAPE, AND MEANS FOR ENGAGING SAID CORNER ROLLER WITH SAID TAPE, A RECIPROCABLY MOUNTED CUTTING BLADE ON SAID FRAME, SAID BLADE EXTENDING AND MOVABLE IN A DIRECTION PERPENDICULAR TO SAID FIRST FACE OF SAID TAPE, AND MEANS FOR ENGAGING SAID BLADE WITH SAID TAPE, A TAPE EJECTOR SPRING HAVING AN EDGE ENGAGED WITH SAID TAPE MOVABLE ALONG SAID ELONGATED FRAME TO CARRY SAID TAPE TOWARD SAID ROLLER MEANS, SAID SPRING BEING FLAT IN TRANSVERSE CROSS SECTION AND FORMING AN ACUTE ANGLE WITH SAID FIRST FACE WHEREBY SAID SRING WILL SLIP ON SAID TAPE WHEN MOVED AWAY FROM SAID WALL ROLLER MEANS. 